After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 230

Chapter 230: Working Nicole

“Yes, the appraisal is finished! I think we should dig the second tunnel!”

“No, it’s clearly the third tunnel that has more magical silver content.”

“Yes, that’s true. But the ores are saying the third tunnel will run dry if we dig a little more!”

“I see. Normally, I wouldn’t believe what some miner says, but… all of Nicole-chan’s predictions have been right so far. I guess I’ll listen to you and shift the workers to the second tunnel!”

“Thank you! Please bring more ores tomorrow!”

Nicole spoke in an incredibly sweet anime-like voice, giving serious advice, and even the leader of the mine’s excavation team was all smiles.

Gretel returned to work the day after giving birth. Her family sent half a dozen nurses to take care of the twins, so I had no need to help. Max was handling the routine governance, so if I interfered, it would only cause trouble. That’s why, honestly, I had some free time and came to check on the expanding magical silver mine…

“Nicole, why are you still working?!”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice. It’s understandable, though. The child I conceived with Nicole was before Gretel. That means her due date has already passed. It’s definitely time for her to take a break.

“Because… there aren’t enough appraisers,” she said with a sweet tone, her eyes lowering in a cute way.

Well, when she said it like that, I couldn’t help but feel it was okay, but… this did give off a bit of a black-hearted feeling. I turned my gaze to the trial excavation leader.

“Are there really not enough appraisers?”

“Well, it’s not that there aren’t any, but Nicole-chan’s appraisals are just so accurate. A regular appraiser can tell the purity of the ore, but they can’t say whether it will run out or not. That’s why… we can’t help but rely on her.”

The man wiped the sweat from his temple. It seemed he had just realized that this woman was carrying the child of me, the lord. He’s a bit late to figure that out. Still, his motivation is to get as much magical silver as possible for the territory, so I couldn’t be mad at him.

“Got it, I understand. With the appraisal we just did, the mining plan is set for the time being. Nicole-chan, you’ll take a break now, okay?”

“Y-Yes, of course… I pray that a fine young lady is born.”

The man, avoiding eye contact with me, quickly fled. Seems like even a lord who doesn’t do much is still a little scary.

“Ahh, you shouldn’t scare him like that.”

“I didn’t scare him though…”

“I do love the cool face of the lord, but when you glare, it can be really cold and scary, so please remember that.”

I think I’m being scolded by Nicole, but with her gentle voice, it didn’t feel like a reprimand. Her anime-like voice, which is sweet and soothing to the ears, might be some kind of magic that tricks men.

“Anyway, enough about that. You need to rest now. It’s not strange if the baby comes any time.”

“Because… we’re supposed to be war slaves, but we get to eat delicious food and wear clean clothes, so I have to keep working at least…”

Well, it’s true that, as slaves, their treatment is good, but I don’t think of them as slaves. They’re important residents and partners who will help develop Baden and grow the city. Oh, by the way, women like Nicole and Cornelia, who wear the “Golden Lilac,” have been formally freed from slavery and have become commoners.

“It’s good that you’re serious, but Nicole, the child you’re carrying is mine. Please take care of yourself.”

“Ah, that’s right!”

She finally realized, but at this point, it wasn’t a surprise. Nicole is diligent and capable, but a little forgetful, which makes it impossible not to look out for her.

“Alright, let’s go rest at the quarters.”

“Yes…”

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“Ahh~ this feels so warm.”

Hot milk with plenty of honey. It’s a bit of a luxurious drink, but she’s going to be the mother of my child, so I want her to have something good to help nourish her.

“See, taking breaks like this once in a while isn’t bad, right?”

“Yes… if I get used to this, I might turn into a lazy person.”

“It’s fine. Right now, your important job is to have a healthy baby and raise it.”

“Hehe… Ah!”

Nicole, who had been smiling with squinted eyes, suddenly straightened up as if realizing something.

“L-Lord! You left your wife, who just gave birth, behind!”

She jumped up, panicking. Seems like she’s still scared of “Lady” Gretel.

“I don’t want to be struck by lightning as an adulterous woman!”

It’s fine, really. In the first place, it was Gretel, not me, who gave you the “Golden Lilac.” You’re essentially an acknowledged mistress, so there’s no need to worry.

It took a full thirty minutes to convince the frightened Nicole. That part is a secret.